2248 According to the fourth
commandment, God has willed that, after him, we should honor our parents and
those whom he has vested with authority for our good.

2249 The conjugal community
is established upon the covenant and consent of the spouses. Marriage and
family are ordered to the good of the spouses, to the procreation and the
education of children.

2250 "The well-being of
the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound
up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life" (GS 47 # 1).

2251 Children owe their
parents respect, gratitude, just obedience, and assistance. Filial respect
fosters harmony in all of family life.

2252 Parents have the first
responsibility for the education of their children in the faith, prayer, and
all the virtues. They have the duty to provide as far as possible for the
physical and spiritual needs of their children.

2253 Parents should respect
and encourage their children's vocations. They should remember and teach that
the first calling of the Christian is to follow Jesus.

2254 Public authority is
obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person and the
conditions for the exercise of his freedom.

2255 It is the duty of
citizens to work with civil authority for building up society in a spirit of
truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom.

2256 Citizens are obliged in conscience
not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the
demands of the moral order. "We must obey God rather than men"
(⇒ Acts 5:29).

2257 Every society's
judgments and conduct reflect a vision of man and his destiny. Without the
light the Gospel sheds on God and man, societies easily become totalitarian.